How Do the Jewish Festivals Speak of and Foreshadow Jesus?

Introduction

I’ve often been amazed at how the biblical festivals, established thousands of years ago, seem to tell the story of Jesus so vividly. Each one of these festivals, instituted by God for the Jewish people, not only commemorates a historical event but also points to a deeper, spiritual reality fulfilled in Messiah. From Passover to the Feast of Tabernacles, these festivals are like divine rehearsals that foreshadow the redemptive work of Jesus, revealing God’s intricate plan of salvation and His desire to dwell with His people.

Narrative Context

The Jewish festivals, or moedim (appointed times), were given to Israel as sacred assemblies, celebrations, and times of remembrance. They are detailed primarily in Leviticus 23 and include seven main feasts: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost (Shavuot), Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and Tabernacles (Sukkot). Each of these festivals has both a historical and prophetic significance, serving as a shadow of things to come.

Understanding the Jewish festivals in their original context helps us appreciate their fulfillment in Jesus. For instance, Passover commemorates the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt, but it also foreshadows Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Similarly, the Day of Atonement symbolizes reconciliation and points to Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice and intercession for humanity. The Jewish calendar and its festivals are cyclical, reminding believers annually of God’s faithfulness and His promise of redemption.

Scriptural Foundations

Here are key scripture verses from the World English Bible (WEB) that provide insight into the foreshadowing of Jesus in the Jewish festivals:

Passover – Exodus 12:13 (WEB)

“The blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will be on you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.”

Explanation:
Passover foreshadows Jesus’ sacrificial death. Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from the plague, Jesus’ blood protects believers from the wrath of God and brings deliverance from sin.

Unleavened Bread – 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (WEB)

“Clean out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Messiah, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place. Therefore let’s keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Explanation:
The Feast of Unleavened Bread represents the sinless nature of Jesus and calls believers to live in purity. Just as leaven symbolizes sin, believers are called to live without the “leaven” of malice and wickedness, embodying the purity of Messiah.

Firstfruits – 1 Corinthians 15:20 (WEB)

“But now Messiah has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.”

Explanation:
The Feast of Firstfruits symbolizes Jesus’ resurrection as the first to rise from the dead, assuring believers of their future resurrection. Just as the firstfruits of the harvest were presented to God, Jesus is the first of the resurrected, guaranteeing the full harvest of believers.

Pentecost – Acts 2:1-4 (WEB)

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.”

Explanation:
Pentecost, originally celebrating the giving of the Law at Sinai, finds its fulfillment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Law written on tablets of stone is now written on believers’ hearts through the Holy Spirit, empowering them to live according to God’s will.

Trumpets – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (WEB)

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Messiah will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.”

Explanation:
The Feast of Trumpets symbolizes the gathering of God’s people at the return of Messiah. It is a call to repentance and preparation for the coming Day of the Lord.

Day of Atonement – Hebrews 9:11-12 (WEB)

“But Messiah having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.”

Explanation:
The Day of Atonement foreshadows Jesus’ role as the High Priest who offers His own blood for the atonement of humanity. This feast points to the complete and final reconciliation between God and His people through Jesus.

Tabernacles – John 1:14 (WEB)

“The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Explanation:
The Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating God’s presence with Israel in the wilderness, is fulfilled in Jesus, who “tabernacled” among us. It points to God’s ultimate desire to dwell with His people forever.

Perspectives from Others

1. Jewish Perspective:
   In Jewish tradition, the festivals are primarily seen as times of historical remembrance and spiritual renewal. The focus is on God’s deliverance, provision, and presence with His people. While many Jews do not see these feasts as directly pointing to Jesus, they acknowledge their role in deepening the understanding of God’s covenant with Israel.
2. Messianic Jewish Perspective:
   Messianic Jews see the festivals as powerful prophecies fulfilled in Jesus. They celebrate these feasts with an understanding that each one reveals aspects of Messiah’s character and redemptive work. This perspective enriches their faith, connecting the Old and New Testaments in a cohesive narrative.
3. Christian Perspective:
   Many Christians view the Jewish festivals as shadows of the reality fulfilled in Jesus. While not all Christians observe these feasts, there is growing interest in understanding their significance as part of God’s redemptive plan. This perspective helps to bridge the gap between the Old Testament and the life and ministry of Jesus.

Identifying Misunderstandings

One common misunderstanding is that the Jewish festivals are only for the Jewish people and have no relevance for Christians. However, these feasts are part of God’s overall plan of redemption and reveal much about His character and intentions for all humanity.

Another misconception is that observing these feasts is necessary for salvation or spiritual superiority. While understanding and celebrating the festivals can enrich one’s faith, salvation is through faith in Jesus alone, not through the observance of specific days or customs.

Relevance and Application for You

Understanding the Jewish festivals can deepen your appreciation of Jesus’ life and ministry:

1. Recognizing God’s Sovereign Plan:
   Seeing how the festivals point to Jesus reminds us that God has a sovereign plan that He has been unfolding throughout history. This gives believers confidence in God’s promises and His faithfulness.
2. Celebrating Fulfilled Prophecy:
   Each festival commemorates not only a historical event but also a future fulfillment in Jesus. Celebrating these festivals can be a way to remember God’s faithfulness and anticipate the complete fulfillment of His promises.
3. Living with Purpose:
   Just as the Jewish festivals guided the Israelites’ spiritual calendar, understanding their fulfillment in Jesus can guide our lives with purpose, reminding us of our identity in Messiah and our call to live in light of His return.

Encouragement and Conclusion

The Jewish festivals are more than ancient customs; they are divine appointments that foreshadow the work and person of Jesus. From His sacrificial death to His promised return, these feasts reveal the depth of God’s love and the intricacy of His redemptive plan.

Let this understanding encourage you to love what God loves—His faithfulness, His promises, and His plan of redemption—and to hate what He hates—faithlessness, sin, and separation from Him. As you reflect on these festivals, may you be inspired to live in the joy and anticipation of their fulfillment in Jesus, who is our Passover Lamb, our High Priest, and our soon-coming King.